By Sariba Manneh
The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) on Friday, 29th September, 2023 handed over three pick-up vehicles and 31 motorbikes to Caritas and Future In Our Hands, The Gambia.
Funding is from the United States Department of Agriculture and the gifts are an effort to improve educational outcomes and literacy in the Gambia.
The presentation was held at CRS premises in Fajara.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the Chief of Party, James Ngongnui said Catholic Relief Services began working in The Gambia in 1964 at the invitation of the Catholic Bishop of Banjul. Since then, CRS has provided emergency relief to vulnerable communities, strengthened food security, tackled malnutrition, enhanced healthcare services and provided education opportunities for children and their families.
He added that the objective of the project is to improve the literacy of the school children and increase the use of health and dietary practices.
He further said that CARITAS will be responsible for the school feeding and FIOHTG will implement the literacy and construction components of the Food for Education (NDOKK Project).
For her part, the Country Director FIOHTG, Jainaba T. Sarr noted that the success of the project will be realised as Future in Our Hands (FIOHTG) is ready to partake in this important assignment for the project implementation.
Sis. Marie T Mendy, the representative of CARITAS noted that the vehicle handed to them will boost their mobility towards the successful implementation of the project.
She noted that The Food for Education Project is a five-year school feeding program funded by USDA which aims to improve literacy, health and nutrition.